The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-07-25

The Opinion of Veteran GermanEditor az TO
What Will Happen After His Demise.


The Opinion of a Veteran GermanEditor as to
What Will Happen After His Demise.
New York Mail aud Express.
No question In interesting the Germans OF
this country Just at this time more than the
critical state of the health of Emperor William,
now ninety years of age. and the serious throat
trouble of the Crown Prince. "What II both
should def What would happen to Germany IN
that event" are questions these particularly
home-ioviIg people are asking each other WIN
much seriousness, and all opinions OF weight
bearing on the questions are sought for ana us
tened to by them with the greatest interest me
venerable proprietor and editor OF the STATS
Zeitune, Mr.. Oswald Ottendorfer. a loyal
German-American. is one of the best posted men
OF these subjects in this country. He has visited
Germany nearly every year, has seen Emperor
him. and has made especial study of German
matters for years. So interested is he, in fact.
in the present state of affairs in Germany that
ne will IN few weeks again visit that country
Il have seen Emperor William half dozen
times" he said to the writer, land in 1850 i
had the pleasure of exchanging few words
with him, This was at the watering place or
Gastein whore he was staying a short time.
He was taking promenade when I met him,
and he stopped and exchanged greetings
saw him last year in Berlin. and the year be-
fore at Ems. He looked better last year than
the year previous. AT this latter time he
was looking very poorly and was in such
bad health that it was not thought he could live
long. AT that time, while was at Bingen-on-
the Rhine, gentleman who had much to 90
peror, told me that the Emperor would swoon
away for an hour or more at time and was very
i'll. His present trouble is probably of much the
same nature. But last year ne seemed consider
bly, improved again. Though he is improved
over two years ago, he is yet very old man and
cannot in the nature of things. last much
longer"
How was his personal appearanceW
"Magnifcent-a very TALL straight, hne-look-
ing man, every inch a general and emperor re-
member, in 1869. when We were in Berlin, before
he was made emperor, we saw him one Sunday
at Potsdam. There was little parade. and he
reviewed it on his way to church with the Prince
and his suite. We were within fifty feet or hlrn,
and as he walked along In front of the battalion
one of my daughters exclaimed:
THE King is the finest officer in the whole
Prussian army
This is the impression he makes on all who
see him. His staff was fne-looking body OF
men. They take care there to pick out the finest
looking men for such places, and not man of
them WAS less than ak feet tall. i remember at
that time the Austrian Emperor and his staff
were present, cut they were so small and inslg-
nlhcant in comparison that they looked ike q lot
of boys"
HE is extremely popular, is he not, with his
people2"
lar Whenever he shows himself there Is an
enthusiasm over him which American can't
understand. But we must take into considera-
ton his great age and the immense services be
has rendered his people, The people actually
fall down in alteration to him and Bismarck. 1t
really seems remarkable This may be q sign Of
patriotism. but don't consider it an improve
ment in the German character. It has developed
since the Franco German war of 1870 The EN-
peror when promenading, has as attendants two
tall, big men. who are always with him and walk
by his side with arms outstretched, SO that II he
takes false step they can catch him: He made
it a rule to walk half an hour every day."
ibid not Mrs OLtendorfer receive a medal OF
honor"
Yes. from the Empress. It was in 1883, the
year before Mrs. Ottendorfer died. Il a
decoration given to the ladies who had done
something In the way OF charity or benevolence.
Mrs. Ottendorfer had built hospital and old
ladies' home in this city. The Empress had
heard of this and sent the decoration in Decem-
Der. 1888 1t consisted of silver cross sur
wSss and BY black e eeor
On it was an inscription telling the
purpose for which it was given. AT the
time my wife was i'll at Bingen on the Rhine, in
1854, was invited by the New York Sharp
shooters, who were there at the time celebrat-
ing the Fourth of July. to be present at their
gathering. Two or three days afterwards the
Empress received them. and her recollection of
the decoration was show by the fact that she
remembered our name and asked if 1 was the
husband of the lady who had erected the hospi-
tai and home"
do you think the death of Emperor William
at this time would greatly disturb Germanys
affairsl'
that great changes would take place by reason
of his death. The Crown Prince is capable and
popular. and point to be remembered Is that he
Is hfty-seven years OF age and thus beyond the
age when a ruler is ambitious to make changes
in his government AS to the Immediate pros
pests Of the Emperor's death, that is not certain
by any means. AS two years ago he was not ex-
pected to live until now, he may rally again.
and live several years. But it will be
impossible !, for for him to take the field field
is very certain. He cannot repeat his per-
Torrance of 1870 when he in the saddle
fourteen hours. This may be said to have been
his last active work on the battlefield. 1t he
should die and the Crown Princes throat trouble
causes his death too, the latters William
would become ruler. He is about thirty years
OF age. and spoken OF very highly and as an able
man. But doubt about his amounting to much
a general though of course he has had not
opportunity as yet to display any talent of this
kind" would not the death of the Emperor
be apt to lead France to precipitate warp
1T Is difficult TO say. 1t does look as IL war
between the two countries is inevitable in the
near future. But the great part of the German
people do not wish war-they are naturally in
clned To peace. But at the same time they keep
up their army in good shape. If there should be
a war now Germany would undoubtedly get the
better of France and probably Russia would
join France, and Austria engage Russia. When
l returned from Europe last fall l felt positive
that In the spring war would be begun. The air
was full OF war rumors and L was never IN
country where the opinion widespread
that war was inevitable. Nevertheless, it has
not come yet. and certainly the German people
are doing everything to prevent one; and they
will continue to do unless provoked to such
an extent as to he uncomfortable The trouble is
that the ambitious men of France, like Bou-
LANCER. may take hold of any opportunity to pre-
cipitate a war. But believe the French states
men would do their best prevent
Parties in Paris must not be taken for the
French people. / believe the latter. rule
are inclined TO remain at peace. But il France
does 60 into it she is of being defeated. and
in that event Germany might feel compelled 10
reduce her to a second-rate power, by Gripping
her greatly, and she doubtless would have to
remain a long time"
But France does not seem to get the |
taking away of Alsace and Lorraine by Ger |
manyp
whether she does not, Germany can't give /
them up. AS long they were in the possession /
of France the door was open for invasion into |
Germany, and SO it is necessary for Germany to |
keep them. if only in self protection. But these
provinces were originally German till go years |
ago. and were conquered by France. The coun- |
try people there speak German even now. Ger |